Having swept to a dominant season-opening win at the Dubai Sevens, Australia’s women again look in ominous form on leg two of the series in Cape Town.
The Aussies cruised to victory in the Gulf last weekend, ending New Zealand’s 41-match unbeaten streak in the final, and they kept their ruthless run going in South Africa on Saturday.
Spain (38-0), Japan (54-0) and Fiji (28-7) were swept aside in the group stage, with free-running Australia conceding only one try as they dominated their pool.
New Zealand and France also swept their groups.
Star of the show for the second week running was Maddison Levi, who added five more tries to her 12 in Dubai, taking the former AFLW player’s overall tally to 100 in 15 tournaments.
Australia will face Ireland in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
The hosts’ unbeaten start to the world series was ended in the pool stage by Ireland, who progressed to a quarter-final against New Zealand.
Despite shock losses to Canada and Samoa, the Kiwis advanced to the knockout stage as one of the two best third-placed teams thanks to a 35-5 win over the pool-winning Aussies.
Australia will be out for revenge in Cape Town after being brushed aside at the same stage by the Blitzboks in Dubai, before an eventual seventh-placed finish.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Not only the Ab's & Black Fern Seven's Reds, as many other nations are in the same situation, with returning players. I agree with your assessment of TL & Terita, as that Maori girl is only going to get better. The Brazilians are really on the improve, as with some other womens teams, but those two sisters Castro, I think the names are, for Brazil, have explosive pace.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Congrats to Australia women 7s ,Pumas 7s and Revol for his 100th series. Great win, Argies put Wallabies 7s to the sword.
Lucky
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to both the Aussie women's and men's sevens teams on getting to their cup finals in Cape Town. It's pretty special and has been amazing to watch :rugby: :stoked:
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Great work from both the Aussie men and women! Top League One rugby started here in Japan as of yesterday and the Auz 7’s going well. Life is balancing back well again. It’s a pity Auz rugby has such a long break to dwell on things after the shemozzle that France was, while the rest of the rugby world plays on.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Superb from the men and the women tested but their quality and hardness came through. Roll on the semis.
Lucky
Roar Rookie
Fantastic to see the Aussie women's team keeping great form after last week's impressive finals win. Go golden girls :thumbup: Waiting now for the women's semi final between Australia and America. Well done to the Aussie men's team for beating South Africa in the quarterfinals. Big surprise there winning 28-0 against the host nation and current series leaders :thumbup: Waiting now for the men's semi final between Australia and Fiji. In Sevens you never really know who will win, it can change so fast. Ireland won against New Zealand in the quarters for the first time ever and Fiji had a tough golden point victory over France in extra time in another quarter final :rugby:
PaddyBoy
Roar Rookie
Aussie Womens 7s are impressively consistent. Awesome to see, seem like real professionals who love what they do! The Levi's just keep knocking my socks off...
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Lot better from the men this week, good luck against the locals in the quarters. Tough ask.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Long long way to go. Still unresolved is the question ... have they improved from last year where they actually fell away on the second half of the season. NZ had their measure and the big boppas in France and the US caused us problems. At this early stage they are looking promising with Tegan Levi, Terita and Lefau-Fakaosilea seemingly stronger at the impact zone, and the veteran Sharni Smale in good form. But as Muzzo points out below, the kiwi's probs don't have their best team out as yet and others no doubt will improve. Bit of a dark horse seem to be the Brazilians who are getting better each outing.
TonyH
Roar Rookie
The Aussie Gals are looking good! Olympic gold beckons!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes aas most know the World Series has just ' kicked off', in fact it's only the second tournament of the Series, & there's still a long way to go. As we've seen with both the men's & women squads, there are still quite a few to return in most of the nations competing, so no doubt we will see some improvements amongst those squads. Even the AB'7, the most successful team in World Seven's history, in taking out more series than any other nation, are so inconsistent ATM. Like we saw them thrash Australia, then lose to nations not so highly ranked. Also the women, the Black Fern's are still to see some return, with captain Hirini possibly out for a little while.